Shawn Conner offers five reasons to check out the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival:
1. Crazy Girl
The headline event of the 28th edition, Petisa Loca (Crazy Girl) is a production of Spain’s Sara Calero Company. Marking the Canadian debut of the company, the performance features dancer/choreographer Calero with vocalist Loreto Arnaiz, guitarist Jose Almarcha, and electronic music duo The Lab. Thematically, it follows a woman who leaves her home to make a new life.
2. Monique Salez and the Dream Cab
The Victoria collective comes to the festival with Labios de la Loba. According to the Facebook event description, the show “is a dreamscape that wanders through questions of identity, flamenco, life & learning.” We’re not sure about that, but the performers’ masks look pretty cool.
3. Kasandra Flamenco Ensemble
In Solo Flamenco, Kasandra “La China” Lea performs various forms of flamenco, including puro, Antiguo with Cuban fusion, and contemporary. Guests include a vocalist, guitarists, percussionist and dancer Alvin Tolentino from Co. Erasga.
4. Dialogue Extended
Festival founder Flamenco Rosario (artistic director Rosario Ancer and musical director Victor Kolstee) premieres a collaboration with two other couples/flamenco artists, Spain’s Mariano Cruceta and Gloria Solera and Mexico’s Marien Luevano and Ulises Martinez. Dialogue Extended is described as “an exploration to find the balance between their domestic and artistic lives.”
5. Pop-up performances, and more.
Along with the ticketed events, the festival offers pop-up performances, a free class for seniors (Friday), flamenco for kids (Saturday), lectures, and workshops. And, in La Musica del Flamenco, the spotlight is turned on the festival’s musicians.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
When: Starts Friday, runs until Sept. 29 Where: various venues Tickets: vancouverflamencofestival.org